After his arrival in Jerusalem, Ezra discovers that certain Jews, including some serving in the temple, have intermarried with foreigners. Upon hearing this, Ezra is overwhelmed with grief over the people’s disobedience to the Lord’s Law. In prayer, Ezra confesses, “From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.” Ezra recognizes God’s blessing in allowing them to return to Jerusalem with everything needed to rebuild the temple. Yet he also knows that, as in the past, disobedience violates their covenant relationship with God. May God’s grace lead us to swift repentance and renewed obedience.